Tasha's Got a Baby Read online

  He looked at her with lust in his eyes until he noticed her stomach. Wrinkles appeared on the top of his forehead. “Um… nah, just wanted to make sure you was okay. Let me get goin’.” He sped off down the street.

  “Yeah! Run like a pussy now!” She yelled fighting back tears. She had already accepted she was gone be a single mother anyway. Fuck it.

  She fast walked to her building and was hit with another surprise. There QUA was leaned up against the wall wearing a full black and white Nike sweat suit with the matching fitted cap. He twirled a black and mild in between his fingers as the night lights reflected onto his skin showing that he was relaxed and looked well rested. Tasha stopped in front of him not knowing what to expect. From the look in his eyes, he missed her, but he was hurt. “I heard you was working now… How’s that going?”

  “It was my first day today… so I’ll see…” She said shyly. “Just tryna do the right thing QUA.” She sighed.

  He slowly nodded his head and stared in her eyes. “Look, I should be mad at you but I can’t stop from loving you. We need to talk…”

  Her eyes bounced around as butterflies in her stomach arrived. “I… um.. ion know what to say QUA… I didn’t mean to…”

  He cut her off. “Tasha… I got tested. I’m not positive. I tested negative.”

  Her eyes flew open. “Wait what? You foreal?”

  He nod his head. “Yeah.”

  She didn’t know how to feel, it was like mixed emotions. She’d been so depressed and that was one of the biggest weights on her chest. “So..so.. that means you couldn’t have infected me then… but we.. like.. how? How are you not infected?”

  “Ion know… that shit crazy but I don’t have it. Gotta be God.” He lit the black and mild and as quick as he did he put it out. “Second hand smoke… my bad.”

  “Wow… that’s.. I’m happy for you. I’m happy you are okay.” She shift in deep thought. It was only one other person who could’ve infected her.

  “Fuck all that Tasha… you need to talk to me and tell me… everything. Who you been with? Where you get this shit from?” She licked her lips and held her head down. “Listen, I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow. Meet me here in the morning to go with me and I’ll explain everything then.” She looked at him with hopeful eyes.

  He agreed, “aiight, tomorrow… and no games Tasha. Dead ass.”

  “I promise… no games.” There was a brief silence between them both at this time, like neither one of them knew how to break the awkward silence. “Can I have a hug at least? I can’t infect you with a hug.”

  QUA didn’t know what he should do at first but she was right. A hug couldn’t infect him. He loved Tasha but he didn’t know how to look at her past her disease cause in his eyes that’s what she was now… a walking virus, an infection. Hesitantly, he wrapped his arms around her but he couldn’t deny how good she felt in his arms. She appreciated him hugging her cause she’d been yearning for a hug for months, from somebody who loved her. “I still love you T.” He assured her. She couldn’t even respond cause somewhere in those words she heard a ‘but’… a ‘but’ as in ‘I still love you but we can never be together again’ and it broke her heart.

  It was hard for her to part ways from him but she did, and she made her way inside to a loud ass apartment. As soon as she walked through the door her mama was coming for her. “You gotta move outta here before you have that baby Tasha… can’t no baby’s come up in here and nobody told ya fast ass to be out there fucking every Tom, Dick, and Harry so it ain’t my problem.” She fussed as she sat on the couch smoking a cigarette.

  Tasha simply ignored her and walked to her room… she wanted to get the fuck out anyway. If she could pay bills here she could pay bills in her own spot. When she came out; she walk to the kitchen where it was a sink full of dishes. The roaches were everywhere and it was just nasty. Pots were still on the stove with food in it from days ago. Grits, from a week ago. Old food in the microwave and etc. and she was just sick of the bullshit. I don’t understand how a house full of grown muhfuckas can’t clean up after themselves… she thought.

  She pulled the bleach from under the sink along with some Pine-sol. It took her nearly and hour to clean the dishes and wipe everything down. She sprayed the kitchen down with Raid too to try an maintain some of the bugs. She would hate for Summer to swallow one of them one day in her cup of juice or anything. Although Tasha wasn’t ready to be a mama; she felt this was showing her what kinda mama not to be to her child.

  She worked up a little appetite by the time she was finish with all of that so she made her a buttery grilled cheese sandwich since all they had was bread, cheese, butter, and some water. If Tasha didn’t put groceries in the house, it wouldn’t be none. They always waited for her to do it. She waltz in her room and shut the door again. This time, her phone was blowing up and she didn’t answer one call. Lately, she’d received multiple death threats from unidentified numbers and she was tired of it; she didn’t even know why but she was sure she knew who was behind it though. At first she didn’t give a fuck; but now it was starting to get down right annoying.

  One thing she did do was think about getting a gun. She refused to be caught out there slipping. She knew she needed to speak to and that was Tru… anything she needed in that aspect; he could surely get. Tru had all kinds of guns. The only issue was if he was willing to actually help her or not. Tru was wild, but he wasn’t reckless like that and she knew this but it was worth a try.

  Nine

  The next morning the alarm was waking Tasha up. She had to miss school for this appointment but she was seriously considering dropping out cause it was becoming to be too much now. On top of that it wasn’t easy being 5 ½ months pregnant and carrying around a baby the sixe of a small melon. She didn’t understand what people thought was cute about being pregnant but she just couldn’t adjust to it no matter how much she tried. She didn’t have maternity clothes but she always made sure she was cute and kept herself up with what she did have, which was a bunch of stolen shit anyway. That was the upside of being a booster; all her shit was free.

  After she was dressed, she made her way down the stairs thinking about the meeting she had with her case worker from the HIV support group that she had yet go to. She knew Mrs. Harris; the caseworker meant well but she was tired of having to answer a bunch of dumb ass questions. She hated having to tell her business… she often wanted to ask her ‘lady, how would you feel if I pulled out a pen and paper and asked you all kinda dumb shit like ‘can you read, write, and fucking talk too?’ But she always held her tongue and was respectful cause she knew she meant well. She hadn’t told Vashon the truth about whom Mrs. Harris was, cause she felt it was none of her business. Mrs. Harris came around to make sure she was taking her meds and for moral support. She really just wanted to help her cope with this situation.

  Tasha made her way down the stoop and in front of the building. She thought she was gonna have to call QUA, but to her surprise, QUA really was waiting already. “Good morning.”

  “Happy birthday.” He passed her a card and a bag from the jewelry store.

  She gasped as her hand flew up to her mouth embarrassed. “Oh shit…”

  He shook his head, “What? Don’t tell me you forgot your birthday?”

  “I didddd…” She shook her head and grabbed the card and bag. “Thank you so much.” She managed to smile. She had been going through so much she didn’t even acknowledge her own birthday. “Damn, I’m 17 today.” She opened the bag to see a cute XO gold and silver dust necklace. She loved it cause she had been wanting one of those for a minute now too. “Thank youuuu. I love it.” She beamed.

  “No problem… so try to cheer up a little bit.” They walked side-by-side. “Come on, I’mma drive.” He said casually.

  “You got a car?” She asked confused. He cooley nod his head while bobbing to a brand new BMW; a white one with the black racecar strip going around it. “This is nice.”

 
“Thanks.” He push the start button as the engine roared. On the way to Dr. Dupoy’s he didn’t say much to Tasha and she could tell he was still standoffish. She realized that he stayed away cause he couldn’t control his temper. Had he come around any sooner he probably would’ve hurt her real bad and she was okay knowing that. Meanwhile, in QUA’s head he was still contemplating about whether he should fuck her up or not. He clearly knew that she had to be cheating on him, it was very clear. When the arrived in front of the crème colored building with multiple suites, he asked her… “So you gon’ tell me now?”

  “I’m gonna tell you inside… and I want you to promise me that you’ll just listen to me and try to hear me out… please. Understand why I did what I did and why this is happening.” Her voice trembled. “I’m a victim, I’m not trying to ruin your life.”

  QUA was getting nervous as fuck by what she was saying but he was trying his best to hold his composure. “Aiight.” He got out. They both walked in not knowing what the fate would be when they walked out.

  “Dr. Dupoy…” Tasha said nervously. “I have something that I need to tell ya’ll and I’m gonna tell you from beginning till the end.” Please don’t interrupt me she said feeling sick to the pit of her stomach. Not knowing the outcome was antagonizing her.

  “What are you saying Tasha? Is everything okay?” She asked worriedly. “Everything at home okay?” She knew Tasha’s mother wasn’t the best mother and she was often concerned about her but without seeing any physical abuse she didn’t want to make an report or assumptions. She never wanted to assist in a child being pulled away from home for things that could truly be fixed.

  She dropped her eyes. “I know who infected me… just let me explain cause I owe this to not only ya’ll but myself. I’ve been holding this in for a long time now and I want this off my back.”

  Tasha told QUA and her doctor the entire story of Ralph and how he took advantage of her, blackmailed her, and infected her all at once. She admitted to QUA that she sold drugs even after she lied and said she wasn’t. She admitted that she that she didn’t know who the baby belonged to as well and she wanted to test QUA for paternity while she was still carrying her baby, not after. Dr. Dupoy had tears in her eyes. What she’d heard was beyond her, something she never expected. She’d heard plenty of stories from intercity kids but never one like this. Meanwhile, QUA sat in the chair in the corner with an expressionless look on his face as his left leg bounced uncontrollably. Tasha knew what that meant, he was up to no good and he wanted to do something crazy. “QUA!” She snapped him out of his thoughts. He looked at her. “I know we aren’t together no more… but you all I got… so please…” She begged without finishing her sentence. He knew what she was getting at but he made up his mind already; when the time was right, he was gone kill his bitch ass uncle.

  He knew Tasha wasn’t lying cause it’s true. Ralph did have HIV and he passed it to his wife too; from a prostitute he use to fuck with years ago and that’s not all, he even had a baby with the girl and the wife didn’t know about that. He knew his uncle did everything in his power to make sure she didn’t find out cause if she left his ass she gets half of everything and that’s what he didn’t want.

  “Tasha… I’m going to have to report this.” Dr. Dupoy informed her. “Everything from this point on is going to move fast. I’m proud of you for being so brave… you’re very strong and now it’s time for some justice.”

  Tasha agreed as she patiently waited for the police to arrive. When they did, they took her to the station after calling her mama numerous of times who simply wouldn’t answer. Tasha didn’t care, she gave her report and did what she had to do, and the doctor was right. Everything was fast after that. She was determined to get her life back. The charges were filed and he’d have to be investigated and picked up on all charges. Tasha knew this day would one day come that’s why she made sure she kept text messages and recorded conversations and she never told a soul; not even Pepper.

  Ten

  “The news around here every other day! You done got that man locked up! All this controversy going on! You making my doorstep hot Tasha! And I don’t need these people snooping around my got damn door worried about what the fuck I’m doing!” Vashon went on and on. Tasha didn’t even argue with her cause she was right but she wished that she would have some type of sympathy for her. Her Summer came running from the back room to look out the window.

  “Go back.” Tasha told her and sent her to watch cartoons.

  Vashon wasn’t done. “When you leaving here? When you moving out?” She stood behind Tasha looking at the news crew. The shit has been all over the news and she was tired of seeing Ralph’s face plastered everywhere. Tasha even had to quit her job and stop going to school. The police did the best they could do to keep her name undisclosed due to the circumstances of her age but that only lasted for so long before the hood started buzzing. She wished she could get away. It wasn’t even so much as the hood hounding her; it was the goddamn press that didn’t let her family breath; which was even more disrespectful cause she’s a minor. She’s so dumb she doesn’t even realize she can sue them for harassing me too… Tasha thought… nah all she care about is her fucking drugs; dumb ass.

  “I’m working on it…” She mumbled. She was counting her money in her head. She had managed to put up a few dollars from her store runs but her McDonald’s checks were going to the bills. She rubbed her belly feeling her baby move while wishing she had a plan.

  “You know.. for all this shit you putting me through, you could’ve at least sued the police agency or something… got us some damn money.”

  “Why didn’t you sue them? You’re the parent… I’m the minor.” Tasha reminded her. “Oh wait, I forgot… you can’t afford one.” She mumbled. “Just like you can’t afford shit else.”

  Vashon walked up on her daughter flailing her flimsy arms. “What did you say lil bitch? You got something to say to me? Cause if ya fast ass kept those legs clothes we wouldn’t even ne having this discussion right now so I’d advise you to shut the fuck up before you get fucked up.”

  “Okay ma…” Tasha shook her head not even wanting to argue with her. It was no winning cause she’d keep going on and on. Tasha couldn’t understand what made her so bitter. She only promised herself she’d never be like her. Vashon called her so many bitches and dick sucking hoes throughout the years the shit didn’t even faze her no more nor hurt her feelings. She could give two fucks about her rants and nobody else in the apartment cared either. The sooner she realized that Tasha felt she’d stop running that fucking mouth.

  Knock! Knock! Knock!

  Vashon walked to the door to answer it. It was Pepper, she came strolling in looking a little different than the last time Tasha saw her. Today, she was dressed down in a Fila tennis skirt set and was dripping with gold jewelry. She casually walked over to Tasha who still stood at the window. “Why didn’t you tell me all this was going on Tasha?”

  She gave Pepper the ‘really’ look before responding. “I called you at least five times already and no answer or call back so how was I supposed to tell you?”

  Pepper leaned in to Tasha and sniffed as she used the back of her jacket to swipe it across her nose. “We should’ve just went to report this from the beginning.” She whispered not wanting Vashon to hear her.

  Tasha sucked her teeth, “Oh really? And tell them what? I’m a 16 year old drug dealer whose been forced to have sex with this cop to stay out of jail? So just tell them I sale drugs and was doing some prostitute shit huh Pepper?” She hissed staring back out the window. “You don’t know shit.”

  “You right, maybe I don’t know shit, but what I do know is you can’t sit in this apartment hiding. So what you have HIV life goes on… you’ll be fine.”

  Just the fact that Pepper mentioned the HIV had her pressed. “Not now aiight Pepper.. not now… and what you doin’ with yaself lately anyway?”

  She shrugged, “Not much… just doing me for
now.”

  Tasha nod her head and looked at her friend. “Pepper, you gonna have to hurry up and get a grip on yaself before you end up just like one of these coke heads we be talking about…”

  Pepper nod her head, “Yeah… I know.” She replied in a low voice of sadness. “But look, I just wanted to check on you aiight? I’ll check you later.”

  Just like that she was gone again. Tasha didn’t know who to call but when she got a call from QUA in the middle of the night, she was relieved. “Wake up T…” he told her sounding stressed out. “I’m coming to get you so pack ya shit. It’s too hot around there right now and you don’t need to be stressing or being harassed.”

  She sat up in the bed rubbing her protruding belly. “I’ve been getting death threats to QUA.”

  “FROM WHO? I’ll fuck they ass up!”

  “I don’t know…” she shrugged… people. Ralph’s fans that believes he’s innocent I guess.

  “Look, we may not be together, but I’m not bout to let nobody fuck wit’chu you.. and dats on bro.”

  “I know…” She agreed.

  “I’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

  Tasha hurriedly got up and packed as fast as she could. She couldn’t say she was too thrilled about going wherever QUA was taking her cause whenever they were in each other’s presence it hurt her to see the way he looked at her. It wasn’t the same. He was afraid of her and she could tell. Like, just looking at her would infect him or something.

  She gathered all the daily pills she had to take, the money she had and all her clothes. She only left all of her old teddy bears for Summer. She walked to her bed and bent down to kiss the toddler on her cheek. “I love you.” She whispered feeling bad about leaving her cause she was really the only one in the house who watched her and now since Cleo was dead she was fatherless. Her mama was all fucked up and locked up for fraud and she truly didn’t care for Summer since Cleo left her about a year ago.